OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR FOOD AND MATERIAL ASSISTANCE

Transcription

1 FUND FOR EUROPEAN AID TO THE MOST DEPRIVED OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR FOOD AND MATERIAL ASSISTANCE CZECH REPUBLIC

2 Table of Contents 1 IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROGRAMME FORMULATION OF THE PROGRAMME Situation analysis Food deprivation of persons and households in serious social need Description of intervention National system for assistance distribution Food deprivation of children in serious social need Description of intervention National system for assistance distribution Material deprivation of persons and households in serious social need Description of intervention National system for assistance distribution The other relevant information PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION Identification of the most deprived persons Selection of operations Selection of partner organisations/beneficiaries Complementarity with the ESF Institutional structure Monitoring and evaluation Monitoring Evaluation Technical assistance INVOLVEMENT OF STAKEHOLDERS FINANCIAL PLAN Plan for financing the operational programme Plan of financing by type of deprivation concerned Resources Legal regulations and documents Abbreviations Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / page 2 (of 27)

3 1 IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROGRAMME Member State: CZECH REPUBLIC Name of the operational programme: OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR FOOD AND MATERIAL ASSISTANCE CCI: 2014CZ05FMOP001 Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / page 3 (of 27)

4 2 FORMULATION OF THE PROGRAMME 2.1 Situation analysis Social inclusion and combatting poverty are consistently one of the priority areas of the National Reform Strategy of the Czech Republic (CZ) which as part of achievement of national objectives until 2020 defined in the National Reform Programmes 1 aims for reduction of poverty or social exclusion by means of specific measures in the labour market and social protection, contributing thus to the implementation of the European Union's strategy 'Europe 2020'. In the context of social inclusion defined by strategic documents at the national level 2, the Czech priorities include not only improvement in access to the labour market for people in danger of poverty and social exclusion, but also provision of basic resources and respectable income for these persons and improvement in their access to good, available and comprehensive social services. According to the latest statistical data from 2013, poverty or social exclusion endangered 14.6 % of the population in the CZ, i.e. ca thousand persons 3. In international comparison with the other EU Member States, the CZ belongs among the countries with the lowest share of population in danger of poverty or social exclusion 4. Although the risks of poverty and social exclusion are generally relatively low when compared with other EU Member States, especially because of rather effective social transfers, it is specific for the CZ that poverty is primarily concentrated in certain categories of the population that are mainly the long-term unemployed, single-parent families with children, families with multiple children 5 (In the CZ, children under the age of 16 in danger of poverty and social exclusion accounted for more than 18 %) 6. The material deprivation indicators are those that can complete the illustration of the situation of persons in danger of poverty and social exclusion. In this respect, the CZ with 6.6 %, i.e. ca k persons in whom serious material deprivation has been identified is slightly lagging behind most of the EU 15 countries 7. In addition, the trend of recent years is its moderate increase in specific categories of the population such as families with children, especially in connection with the growth of some of the necessary expenses, housing costs in particular 8. In the light of the economic recession, national economic development and the 1 In the field of combatting poverty the Czech government has set itself an objective to keep the number of persons in danger of poverty or social exclusion at the level of the year 2008 (15.3 % of the total population) and to make efforts to reduce their number by The relevant strategies that emphasize alleviation of poverty and related material deprivation as a development priority in the CZ include 'Social Inclusion Strategy ', (2014); 'Long-Term Vision of the MoLSA for Social Inclusion', (2012); 'Policy for Resolving the Issue of Homelessness in the Czech Republic until 2020', (2013); 'Strategy for Combatting Social Exclusion in ', (2011); or 'Regional Development Strategy of the Czech Republic ', (2013). 3 EU-SILC 2013, (2014). 4 According to the preliminary data, the EU 28 average was 24.8 % in Sirovátka et al., 2013., EU-SILC 2012, EU-SILC 2012, EU-SILC 2013, EU-SILC 2012, (2014). 8 Sirovátka et al., Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / page 4 (of 27)

5 growing unemployment rate, the growing housing costs combined with an increase in partially necessary expenses (e.g. on food and basic consumables) on the part of households not only as a consequence of the increase in the VAT, but also of a low rate of real wage growth in combination with continuously growing prices are particularly dangerous to people at risk of becoming homeless the estimated number of whom is approximately 100 thousand 9 in the CZ. Households that belong among those in danger of losing their dwelling are primarily one-parent families with children, the long-term unemployed and senior citizens living alone (in serious social need) 10. The most serious form of social exclusion attended by extreme poverty due to the absence of housing is homelessness. According to recent estimates, there are approximately 30 thousand homeless people living in the CZ, i.e. people without any shelter or any flat. 11 The critical fact is that according to some estimates, there has been a recent increase among homeless persons in the number of young people leaving institutional care (e.g. children homes, youth detention centres and youth offenders institutions) and also families with children. 12 In the context of the CZ, material deprivation is also typical of socially excluded localities that are situated in all regions of the country. For that reason, the support of operations that will be selected for the CZ will be nation-wide, not only regionally focused. With regard to current situation in EU MS in relation to the influx of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers from conflict -driven countries by implementing the OP FMA the aid will be provided to foreigners fulfilling the criteria for TG. The MA of the OP FMA will ensure monitoring and assessment of aid provided to that TG. The PO will carry out survey by qualified estimation and the outcome will be part of evaluation reports and if appropriate in AIR 13. With regard to the amount of the allocation and the plan to increase effects of the Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance (OP FMA) on the situation of the most deprived persons, it is necessary to target provision of Assistance to those individuals or households that are really the ones most in need. The priority areas of intervention of the OP FMA arising from the identification of national needs are to deal with the problem of a lack of food and basic consumables by the most deprived persons that are persons and households at risk of poverty and social exclusion, especially materially deprived children and families with children in material need, people homeless and in danger of becoming homeless. In connection with the Council Recommendation 14 to take measures to enhance the school attendance of the disadvantaged children, including Romani people, the Czech Republic decided to include an intervention in form of free meals provided at school and preschool catering facilities for children in serious social need. In addition to providing a balanced diet 9 MoLSA, 2012 p MoLSA, 2013 p Ibid. 12 Ibid, p Pursuant to art 13. Regulation 223/ The Council Recommendation regarding the National Reform Strategy of the Czech Republic for 2015 and opinion of the Council regarding the Convergence Programme of the Czech Republic from Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / page 5 (of 27)

6 to children from the most deprived families, the aim of this measure is also to help to improve their school attendance and subsequently their results at school that may result in achieving higher education and having better opportunities on the labour market. In order to ensure the desegregation initiatives on EU level and also Czech national level being in accordance with OP FMA operations the MA of OP FMA included measures which aim to minimize segregating and discriminating tendencies towards the marginalized groups. In relation to the schooling system the OP FMA includes measures to support integration of children from marginalized groups to mainstream schooling facilities and lowering their numbers in practical schools. There are two basic types of segregation that are closely interconnected in the Czech Republic, with the first type being primarily defined as ethnic, and the second type as socioeconomic. The perennial grammar schools are a typical example of segregation influence. At the same time, to some extent ethnic segregation is connected with socio-economic segregation. In spite of a significant influence the perennial grammar schools have over the educational system, for the purpose of this OP, the ethnic segregation is of key importance. In order to support desegregation tendencies, there are also programmes at national level 15 that are co-financed from ESIF 16. The operations financed from these resources have different aims and are not overlapping with initiatives on the FEAD bases. It is not a primary objective of FEAD to set up de-segregation tools, however due to the character of activities of 2.3 measures, it was necessary to make sure that the assistance to persons from the target group (TG) in need would not result in an intensified segregation. 2.2 Food deprivation of persons and households in serious social need Description of intervention Targeting of the intervention, forms of assistance and description of distribution chain Under this intervention support will focus on persons and households at risk of poverty and social exclusion, particularly materially deprived families with children, homeless persons, persons at risk of becoming homeless, persons or households with unsatisfactory dwelling, e.g. living in a temporary dwelling or in a crowded flat, and other persons in serious social need. An application for a subsidy to finance a purchase and/or distribution of food assistance will be submitted to the Managing Authority (MA). The purchase will be either centrally secured by the public entity authorised by MA, or by selected partner org. himself/herself, through public procurement according to the applicable legal regulations 17 who will also ensure 15 See footnote 2 16 OP RDE, in particular SC 3 supported activities 17 Act no. 137/2006 Coll., On Public Procurement Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / page 6 (of 27)

7 performance of contracts concluded with selected suppliers. A supplier will deliver food to an agreed destination in the Czech Republic. The beneficiary can be ether public body or nonprofit organisation that can either alone, or in cooperation with his partners (public body or non-profit organisation) ensure distribution of food assistance to end recipients. Food will be provided to the most deprived persons by organisations that provide food or assistance to ensure food for the most deprived persons, namely in the form of ready-made meals or food packages (including baby food and non-alcoholic beverages). When meals are prepared from the food at the provider, e.g. in low-threshold day centres (LDCs), ready-made meals can be consumed directly there, or the meal can be prepared in such a way that people can take it away. The packages will be prepared so that end recipients can take them away and prepare the meals themselves (e.g. persons or families living in reception centres or halfway homes). The packages or the meals can be also supplied to people directly to their own homes, specifically as part of the field work (e.g. as part of the LDCs' activities providing also field services or field programmes). Volunteers can help to distribute aid. At food assistance distribution, attention will be paid to the variety of the products and the balance of the food provided. In cooperation with experts and members of partner organisations, the scope of commodities to be distributed will be defined. The beneficiary or partner providing the assistance directly to end beneficiaries must ensure the provision of accompanying measures that are mandatory (their description is identical with the indicative list given in Chapter 3.3). Role of individual factors of the implementation structure The invitations are announced by the MA of the OP MFA. The following 3 options may be applied in the implementation: 1) The applicant/beneficiary is an authorised department of the MoLSA. It is accountable for the preparation of the project application and implements the tenders connected with the delivery of material and/or food assistance. The work with the target group, i.e. the distribution of assistance and the implementation of accompanying measures is ensured by the partner of partners of the project (see Chapter 3.3). The beneficiary or the beneficiary together with the project partner will specify the deliveries performed by the supplier. The beneficiary also ensures project administration with respect to the inviting party, i.e. he manages the project, submits payment requests, submits monitoring reports. The reference documents for the completion of monitoring reports during the implementation will be delivered by the partner. 2) The applicant/ beneficiary implements the project on his own, it is a type of the organisation described in Chapter 3.3. The beneficiary implements the key activities of the project and communication with the tenderer of the invitation, he also implements tenders for the delivery of both material and food assistance. If he is unable to ensure the distribution of assistance or accompanying measures on his own, Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / page 7 (of 27)

8 he will implement the project together with the project partner or more project partners. 3) The MoLSA as a public entity will centrally ensure the tender for the food and material assistance supplier. It will conclude a general contract with the supplier. The entities described in Chapter 3.3 will be subsidy beneficiaries. The requirements for material and food assistance will be specified in the project application. The beneficiary will address directly the supplier in the form of orders. It also applies here that if he is not able to ensure the distribution of assistance or accompanying measures on his own, he will implement the project together with the project partner or more project partners. The inspection of the performance of the public tender will be ensured by the MA of the OP FMA National system for assistance distribution The Programme will be primarily implemented using the already existing capacities of the distribution network established for the winded up the European Food Aid Programme to the Most Deprived Citizens of the EU (PEAD). Nevertheless, in order to increase the effects of the Programme in comparison with the previous EU programme, stronger involvement of stakeholders is planned at the local or regional levels. It concerns particularly involvement of municipalities, regions and non-government organisations whose role primarily consists in meeting the requirements to provide social services in their territory to persons or groups of persons and inform the most deprived persons on locally available assistance or to engage organisations established by municipalities or regions as well as local partners distributing assistance to end recipients. It is also necessary to engage regional branches and points of contact of the Employment Office, so that information on available assistance can reach the target groups (TGs) in need. An advantage over the PEAD is primarily seen in a greater variety of commodities provided, where only 5 commodities were provided under the PEAD, whereas the FEAD will provide more varied food that should contribute to the balance and variety of diet. The assistance will be delivered more flexibly and regularly. Another difference is in the amount of allocated funds provided from the FEAD, when the PEAD provided the Czech Republic with hundred thousands of euros per year. A no less important factor is also a wider spectrum of target groups from families with children in serious social need, homeless people or people at risk of becoming homeless to people in serious social need. In the CZ, there is no governmental programme being implemented at the national level that would offer a systematic solution for food assistance and would support providers of such assistance by direct supplies of food. 2.3 Food deprivation of children in serious social need Description of intervention Targeting of the intervention, forms of support, description of the distribution chain and accompanying measures Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / page 8 (of 27)

9 Assistance under this intervention will be targeted at children of 3 15 years of age who are at risk of poverty and social exclusion and who will be supported through a contribution for the provision of free meals at school catering facilities. The children will be included in the supported target group on the basis of an assessment of an income of families that are the most risk of poverty and social exclusion. The eligibility of end beneficiaries of the assistance will be demonstrated on the basis of a confirmation from the Employment Office of the Czech Republic (EO CR). An application for a subsidy will be submitted by the beneficiary to the Managing Authority (MA). The distribution of the food assistance will be provided at school and pre-school catering facilities that will provide free meals. The contribution to free meals will be equal to the amount paid by parents of other children specified as unit costs 18 that are mandatorily regulated in relevant national legal regulations 19. Their more detailed specification will be given in the relevant call and the actual calculation of unit costs will be included in the project application. In cooperation with partners for the preparation and implementation of OP FMA, the Managing Authority of OP FMA put in place a system for the implementation of measures so that the supported persons would meet the following criteria a continuous need, i.e. the condition that in the period under review they were recipients of subsidies for people in material need under the Act. 20 An application for the subsidy will be submitted to the Managing Authority (MA). The distribution of food assistance will take place at schools and nursery schools that will provide free food. A contribution for free meals will correspond to the amount that the parents of other children pay, determined in the form of unit costs 21, which are obligatorily regulated by the relevant statutory provisions 22. Their detailed specification will be provided in a relevant invitation and a specific quantification of unit costs will be included in the project application. The proposed system in the OP FMA may be used at schools and nursery schools, where the purchase of food is not the subject of the public contract. Yet, in the case that the school utilises the system of public contracts when purchasing food, we may proceed in such a way that the school will use a proportional calculation from which the amount that the FEAD participates in the food expenditures for the children from the target group of the OP FMA will be obvious. The legal representatives of children from the TG will have an opportunity to receive aid in form of payment of the meal allowance (representing the price of food used to prepare one portion of meal per person). The confirmation of the eligibility will be provided by issuing 18 Pursuant to Article 25 (1b) and (3b) of the Regulation No. 223/2014 on FEAD. 19 Act NO. 561/2004 Coll., The Education Act, as amended; Decree No. 107/2005 Coll., on School Meals, as amended; Act No. 128/2000 Coll., on Municipalities, as amended 20 Act No. 111/2006 Coll., on Assistance on Material Need, as amended. 21 Art. 25 paragraph. 1 b ) and 3 b ) of Regulation no. 223/2014 of FEAD 22 Act NO. 561/2004 Coll., The Education Act, as amended; Decree No. 107/2005 Coll., on School Meals, as amended; Act No. 128/2000 Coll., on Municipalities, as amended Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / page 9 (of 27)

10 certificate proving meeting of conditions of the provider. 23 The contribution in form of payment of unit costs will not be paid to legal representatives, but rather to partner organisations, being elementary schools and pre-school facility. In cooperation with EO CR, the partner school or pre-school facility will identify a group of children who will be provided with free meals from OP FMA. The communication and promotion of OP FMA and FEAD measures will be secured in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS), regional authorities and EO CR. Maintaining the anonymity of the beneficiary will be an important aspect to prevent the stigmatization of the target group and the food assistance will be provided simultaneously with meals for other children. For this reason, accompanying measures will neither be offered nor provided at the school and pre-school catering facilities. Roles of individual factors of the implementation structure The measures to reduce food deprivation of children are tied to the system of the provision of food at school facilities. This system is regulated by national legislation, 24 and regional directives. When measures are taken under OP FMA, the contact branches of the Employment Office (CB EO) or Social and Legal Protection of Children Authorities (ASLPC) also become involved in the system. The system for the provision of assistance under this measure will be the following: MA OP FMA will provide a subsidy to regional authorities that will be beneficiaries of the subsidy from OP FMA. The schools (including canteens co-established as part of the elementary school/pre-school facilities will be their partner organisations. The contact person within the organisation structures will be responsible for the programme implementation (heads of relevant departments on the RA level and headmasters on the school facility level). The recipients will be responsible for data collection and provision of continuous reports regarding the implementation of the measure to the Managing Authority (through IS MS2014+) The school facilities will be responsible to the recipient for making the operations under the partnership agreement (purchases of food, provision of data regarding the number of supported children, keeping records of the meals provided/consumed and so on). In cooperation with schools, CB EO will provide confirmations of the eligibility of person under TG and they will ensure checks whether the condition for the provision of assistance to persons under TG are met in cooperation with ASLPC and schools. 23 Such as the obligation to attend school under Act No. 561/2004 Coll., The Education Act. 24 Act NO. 561/2004 Coll., The Education Act, as amended; Decree No. 107/2005 Coll., on School Meals, as amended; Act No. 128/2000 Coll., on Municipalities, as amended. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / page 10 (of 27)

11 2.3.2 National system for assistance distribution In the CZ, there is no government programme being implemented at the national level that would offer a systematic solution for food assistance and would support the provision of meals to the most deprived children at school and pre-school facilities. Nevertheless, there are non-government non-profit organisations providing the food assistance to the most deprived at schools. These activities, however, are usually financed from providers' private funds or by individual donors. In the most deprived regions of the Czech Republic, these measures will follow up on the measures called Leisure Time Activities to Support Literacy IP 3 of the Operational Programme for Research Development and Education (OP RDE) based in the MEYS CR and at the same time on OP Employment measures (Please see Chapter 3.4). With regard to the interventions under OP FMA and OP RDE, the measures do not overlap, but rather complement each other. 2.4 Material deprivation of persons and households in serious social need Description of intervention Targeting of the intervention, forms of assistance, description of the distribution chain and accompanying measures Assistance under this intervention will be targeted primarily on persons and households with children at risk of poverty and social exclusion, particularly on materially deprived families without their own or rented flats (such as in reception centres or dormitories), socially fragile families living in uncertain or unsatisfactory dwelling, families in financial distress or living in socially excluded localities and incomplete families with low work intensity. In addition, the assistance will be targeted at materially deprived homeless persons (persons living on the street, sleeping in doss houses, reception centres and halfway homes), on persons in danger of becoming homeless (living in uncertain or unsatisfactory dwelling), i.e. in danger of eviction, or in socially excluded localities, but also other persons in serious social need (e.g. lonely senior citizens, long-term unemployed persons or trafficked and exploited persons). An application for a subsidy to finance a purchase and distribution of material assistance will be submitted to the MA. The purchase will be centrally secured by a public entity authorised by MA or the beneficiary of the subsidy himself/herself through public procurements according to the applicable legal regulations 25, who will also ensure performance of contracts concluded with selected suppliers, if the purchase is not secured by the public entity authorised by MA. Suppliers will deliver goods to an agreed destination in the Czech Republic. The beneficiary of the subsidy, either alone, or in cooperation with his partners, will ensure distribution of material assistance to end recipients. Under this intervention, end recipients will particularly receive, through distribution by partner organisations, goods related to the basic child care, such as toiletries, clothing, shoes, 25 Act No 137/2006 on public procurement, as subsequently amended. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / page 11 (of 27)

12 school equipment, and essentials for care for new-borns and babies and basic sanitary equipment. In addition, also toiletries for personal hygiene, healthcare material (not medicaments), blankets and sleeping bags and basic kitchenware for preparing, making and serving meals. A detailed list of the areas of the required material for the end recipients under this intervention will be in the implementing documentation that will be prepared in consultation with relevant partners and approved by the MA. That must be basic consumption goods the value of which is limited and which are intended for personal consumption of the most deprived people. Assistance providers will then be in charge of specification of the end recipients' needs in the defined areas. The cooperation of the assistance providers with municipalities that should provide information regarding the available assistance at the given location to inhabitants of the municipality in the greatest need is expected. The providers of social services through the use of volunteers may also distribute the material assistance. The partner organisation/beneficiary of the subsidy or the partner who provides assistance directly to end recipients must secure the provision of AMs. For that reason, the requirements of Article 7(4), Regulation No 223/2014 on the FEAD are met. Thanks to the liaison with accompanying measures (their description is identical to the indicative list in 13.3.), the support to end recipients will be available in social service facilities, such as reception centres for families with children, intervention centres, out-patient and field services such as social activation services for families with children, reception centres, doss-houses, low-threshold centres, day care centres and services such as emergency aid, field programmes, contact centres and other services for the most deprived persons (including support to families and persons in their own home as well as on the street). 26 Under this area of intervention, each measure will thus improve availability of basic consumables for socially excluded families with children or families with children at risk of social exclusion, homeless persons, persons at risk of becoming homeless or persons in serious social need and will thus contribute to alleviation of material deprivation and reduction of the risk of poverty in these families and persons and through accompanying measures to alleviation of their social exclusion. Role of individual factors of the implementation structure In the case of the specific objective Material Deprivation of Persons and Households in Serious Social Need and the objective Food Deprivation of Persons and Households in Serious Social Need, the role of the individual factors of the implementation structure is the same. See of the OP FMA National system for assistance distribution In the CZ, there is no government programme being implemented at the national level that would provide a systematic solution for material assistance and would support providers by direct supplies of basic material assistance. Nevertheless, there exist social service facilities 26 Provision of assistance to the TG in these facilities will be financed from OP FMA funds Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / page 12 (of 27)

13 that provide material assistance to the most deprived persons. These activities, however, are usually financed from providers' private funds or by individual donors. For distribution of material assistance, the existing distribution network used in the winded up food programme is expected to be used and potentially, the so far not involved bodies are expected to take part in the aid distribution. 2.5 The other relevant information Connection of the operational programme to the national system of social protection and social and legal protection of children 27 National policies on social protection of inhabitants of the CZ follow from the fundamental right mentioned in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Czech Republic: 'Everyone who is in material need has the right to such assistance that is necessary to secure basic living conditions.' The social security system includes a system of pension, sickness and health insurance, state employment policy and a non-contributory system of state social support, benefits for people in material need and for people with disabilities. Through a non-contributory system of state social support 28, the state financially supports families with dependent children that have been caught in a socially unfavourable situation that their members are unable to resolve by their own funds and abilities. The state support to persons and households at risk of poverty and social exclusion that have insufficient income is secured by a system of assistance in material need 29 the purpose of which is to secure that basic food and housing requirements are satisfied. The issues of affordability of housing for persons at risk of becoming homeless is addressed by the social security system by a benefit of the state social support (specifically housing allowance), a benefit of assistance in material need (housing supplement and extraordinary immediate assistance). They are instruments solely addressing a lack of funds in certain groups of persons or households that are defined by the above-mentioned legislation. In addition to the provision of direct financial support, the socially unfavourable situation of the persons is addressed by social services. The existing law on social services 30 regulates, inter alia, the requirements for granting assistance and support to natural persons in a unfavourable social situation, exhaustively defines particular types of social services the primary aim of which is to provide assistance and support to people for the purpose of their social inclusion or prevention of their social exclusion. Social services are provided as services residential, out-patient or field. In this system the strength of which is the connection of social services and unobstructed linkage among them, some of the existing services provide food or help getting food or provide assistance at personal hygiene as part of their activities. 27 Pursuant to Act No. 359/1999 Coll., on the Social Protection of Children, as amended. 28 Pursuant to Act No 117/1995 on state social support, as amended. 29 Pursuant to Act No 111/2006 on assistance in material need, as amended. 30 See note No 15. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / page 13 (of 27)

14 Within these systems people in unfavourable social situation can be granted financial benefits and allowances and use available social services that are to help them overcome a socially unfavourable situation and reduce the risk of their social exclusion and poverty. Support to the most deprived persons is also provided at the local level, namely from municipalities. The law on social services 31 prescribes duties to (in addition to registered social services) municipalities and municipalities with extended competence to coordinate provision of social services within their administrative district and carry out social work leading to the resolving of difficult social situations of their citizens and to their social integration. In that process they cooperate with the regional branch of the Employment Office (EO) and with the regional authority. The municipalities with extended competencies are also obliged to provide social services under the Act on Social Services 32 and the municipalities with an entrusted authority are obliged to provide social services under the Act on the Assistance in Material Need. 33 Since free food and/or material assistance is not provided to end recipients under national social protection schemes designed to help the most deprived, this Programme can aptly complement the national social security system and the existing financial and non-financial instruments of assistance to the most deprived. To use the potential of complementarity of the OP FMA to national social protection policies and reduction of the risk that these policies overlap, the critical role at providing food and/or material assistance is played by partners at the local level who are in direct contact with the TG and have knowledge of needs of individuals at the local level. To verify beneficial effect, check potential misuse and reduce the risk of duplicity in provision of support, the MA will require from partner organisations as part of provision of assistance to set up inspection mechanisms and further, the MA in cooperation with the other relevant bodies will carry out inspections in partner organisations. 31 Ibid. 32 Act No. 108/2006 Coll., on Social Services, as amended. 33 Act No. 111/2006 Coll., on the Assistance in Material Need, as amended. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / page 14 (of 27)

15 3 PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION 3.1 Identification of the most deprived persons In compliance with chapter 2, the most deprived persons are the persons in unfavourable social situation which means weakening or loss of abilities because of age, unfavourable state of health, social crisis, personal habits and a way of living leading to a conflict with society, socially disadvantageous environment, danger to rights and interests by another natural person's criminal activity. The Programme will primarily target on persons and household in danger of poverty and social exclusion who do not live in their own or rented dwelling or are at risk of losing it or live in unsatisfactory dwelling or who are in serious social need. If persons or households are in such a situation, then they are eligible to receive support from the Programme. The criteria classifying the most deprived persons (target groups) to whom the Programme support will be provided will be defined, in compliance with Article 2 (2), by the MA after consultations with the respective stakeholders involved avoiding any conflict of interest. During the Programme implementation, the criteria for classification of the most deprived persons (target groups) can be adjusted depending on developments in the social situation. The MA will consult the respective parties involved at least once in every three years. It will be the responsibility of beneficiaries/partners (providers of assistance to end recipients) to identify specific individuals or households. These providers will apply procedures to evaluate needs of the most deprived persons adequately, namely depending on the situation in which they occur, and to evaluate length and rate of support provision. In the event of an intervention designed to reduce the food deprivation of children in serious social need, the eligible persons will be identified based on the assessed entitlement to contributions in material need, with a special aim on those who are the most risk of poverty and social exclusion. The evidence of eligibility of the end beneficiaries will be provided on the basis of a confirmation by the Employment Office of the Czech Republic (EO CR). At provision of support directly on the street, the application for support itself is considered so stigmatising that it is not necessary to define additional criteria for identification of the most deprived persons. Identification of people or households can take place e.g. in cooperation with the relevant municipality with extended competence. An important role for identification of the most deprived persons is played by the key principles specified in Article 5 (11) of the FEAD Regulation. As part of operations under OP FMA, the students attending geographically located elementary school, where appropriate also attending school with lower numbers of students in Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / page 15 (of 27)

16 need of supporting programmes to enhance learning achievements (often aiming Roma - pupils) 34 than the regionally located one, will be supported from the program. The MA of the OP FMA will also allow as a part of operations under OP FMA that students of practical elementary schools receive the assistance (the percentage of supported students attending practical schools (PS) must correspond to the percentage share of PS in the total number of elementary schools in the given region). 3.2 Selection of operations Support is given to: 1) Operations implemented by partner organisations/beneficiaries of subsidies Under the OP, one operation is considered to be a set of activities (i.e. a purchase and distribution of assistance) that will be defined in the contract with a selected beneficiary of the subsidy. The MA is responsible for selecting operations and applying procedures that are nondiscriminatory and transparent. The project selection will run in form of calls for applications for subsidies announced by the MA. The selected operations must fall under the scope of activities of the Fund and of the OP (free provision of food and/or material assistance and AMs to the most deprived persons). Operations will be selected as follows: First, eligibility of the operation will be evaluated according to these criteria: Applicant's and partners' legal form is in compliance with criteria stated in section 3.3. The assistance distribution follows the principles under Article 5 (11-14) of the FEAD Regulation. The rules on eligibility of expenditures as per Articles 22, 23 and 26 of the FEAD Regulation are observed. All of the partner organisations providing assistance directly to end recipients must provide AMs (with the exception of schools and pre-schools). It is carried out in the Czech Republic. The products that will be purchased and distributed to the most deprived are in compliance with the conditions specified in the OP and in the implementing documentation. 34 In compliance with approved amendment of Act No. 561/2004 Coll., The Education Act, the numbers of students with need of supporting programmes will be collected in National school registry and this information shall be readily accessible. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / page 16 (of 27)

17 Subsequently, the operation will be evaluated in terms of quality according to these criteria: Beneficial effect of the project. The target groups and their needs are clearly defined and quantified. The operation timetable is feasible. The other criteria overlap with the selection of partner organisations/beneficiaries see section 3.3. Final approval of projects is carried out by a selection committee /external experts can be involved in the evaluation). In order to reduce administrative burden of partner organisations/beneficiaries and to increase efficiency of the distribution chain, it is also possible to use criteria related to the volume of distributed assistance and size of the partner network (number of partner organisations). 2) TA operations Selected TA operations are those that help prepare, control, review and monitor the OP or reduce administrative burden of partner organisations. 3.3 Selection of partner organisations/beneficiaries The beneficiaries of subsidy are public bodies or non-profit organisations that deliver food and/or basic material assistance or that also provide accompanying measures directly or through other partner organisations. In the implementation of the OP FMA, the following two types of partner organisations are distinguished: 1) The organisation selected by the MA as a beneficiary is a non-governmental non-profit body (usually operating at the national, supra-regional or regional level), school facility or a public body that will: Ensure a purchase of foodstuffs and/or material assistance; distribute assistance to end recipients, including AMs (with the exception of schools). If the subsidy beneficiary does not provide assistance directly to end recipients, it does not have to provide AMs. The beneficiary must: demonstrate, either himself or in cooperation with partners that: - has organisational, operational and technical conveniences to distribute the assistance; - has human resources available to provide assistance and/or AMs, - has experience in provision of food and/or material assistance and/or experience in work with the target groups. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / page 17 (of 27)

18 2) Project partners can be non-governmental non-profit organisations providing services under Act No. 108/2006 Coll., or Act No. 359/1999 Coll., hereinafter the School Facilities, 35 food banks and public-law bodies, usually operating at the local level. 36 With respect to the provision of AMs, the preference will be given to direct distributors of food and/or material assistance to end recipients that are registered/authorised providers of social services (with the exception of schools and PB). All the partners engaged in the distribution of assistance must have a partnership agreement defining the scope of cooperation concluded with the beneficiary in charge of the project implementation. At the selection of an operation according to section 3.2, relevance of local partners will be evaluated and approved by the MA (a prerequisite is experience with distribution of food and/or material assistance and/or work with the target group, in case of School Facilities the eligibility under Act No. 561/2004 Coll., The Education Act, as amended). Accompanying Measures (AMs) and their draft description At least one of the partner organisations involved in the implementation of measures financed from the OP FMA funds/beneficiary or partner providing assistance directly to end beneficiaries must, on the grounds of the provision of AMs, meet conditions of registration/authorisation under Act No. 108/2006 Coll. or Act No. 359/1999 Coll. The partners must demonstrate qualifications and experience in working with the target group. The provision of AMs is mandatory (with the exception of schools). For these reasons, the requirements of Article 7 (4) of Regulation No. 223/2014 on FEAD are complied with. 37 The assistance as part of AMs shall primarily mean social work, 38 provided particularly by the providers of registered social services 39 or municipalities or other entities (as specified in more detail below). The providers of assistance will provide basic social consulting services (such as provision of information aiming to resolve an adverse social situation, on fundamental rights and obligations, particularly in connection with the provision of social services, on how to prevent the dependency on the social services, or the information regarding the options of how to support family members) to end beneficiaries. If the end beneficiaries are direct users of social services (i.e. services aimed on the prevention of social exclusion), the range of the performed activities will be wider - i.e. social therapeutic activities, help to assert rights, legitimate interests and to handle personal affairs or mediate contact with social environment; educational and activation-related activities. The activities performed under Act No. 359/1999. Coll., 40 are another type of AMs. Other professional activities preventing the crisis situations and social exclusion and aimed at the elimination of negative social impacts (such as financial consulting, nutrition consulting, and psychological care) may also be provided. The providers of these types of AMs must demonstrate 35 According to Act No. 561/2004 Coll., The Education Act, as amended. 36 E.g. pursuant to Act No. 128/2000 Coll., on Municipalities, as amended. 37 Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council No. 223/2014, on the Fund of European Aid to the Most Deprived 38 It may be provided by municipalities, providers of social services 39 Pursuant to Act No. 108/206 Coll., on Social Services, as amended. 40 Act No. 359/1999 Coll., on Social and Legal Protection of Children, as amended. Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / page 18 (of 27)

19 qualifications and experience in work with the target group and meet other conditions for eligibility that are specified in more detail in the given call. The assistance including AMs as part of OP will be provided free of charge. When providing the assistance, the providers will make sure to prevent stigmatisation of the most deprived. However, the provision of the assistance will not be subject to the acceptance of AMs. The provision of AMs that will supplement the distribution of assistance is also important from the perspective of finding a sustainable solution of social exclusion. The financing of AMs will be provided from OP FMA funds. 3.4 Complementarity with the ESF The measures of the OP FMA are complementary to the OPE activities under the investment priority 2.1, specific target 1 'Increase employability of persons at risk of social exclusion or socially excluded of the society and of the labour market' that focuses directly on various groups of people socially excluded or at risk of social exclusion (incl. homeless persons, etc.). In connection with the food/material assistance from the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD), the most deprived persons will be provided services through the ESF projects, particularly in the following areas: - Promotion of social integration of people socially excluded, or at risk of social exclusion through social services, services for families and children and other services of general interest; - Promotion of services provided in the field and outpatient form, promotion of community social work; promotion of specific instruments to prevent and address problems in socially excluded localities; - Promotion of services focusing on prevention of persons' social exclusion, services provided in the field and outpatient form, promotion of community social work; - Education and consultancy, activation, assistance and motivational programmes for people at risk of social exclusion or socially excluded; - Active help to people socially excluded or at risk of social exclusion by providing access to social services, services for families and children and other follow-up services promoting social integration, including access to employment and appropriate housing, etc. Besides in direct work with the target group that is in the primary focus of investment priority 2.1, complementarity can be also seen in activities of priority 2.2, although its primary focus rather aims at the system of services as such (increase in its accessibility, sustainability, quality, etc.); nevertheless, a system project in investment priority 2.2 can be verified as a pilot by work with the target group. All the activities that will have to be complementarily supported with the FEAD measures (i.e. particularly field programmes, field social work, counselling, social activation services for families with children, motivational programmes, etc.) are covered by priority axis 2 Operational Programme for Food and Material Assistance / page 19 (of 27)